granisetron transdermal system (patch), Sancuso

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

GENERIC NAME: granisetron transdermal system (patch)

BRAND NAME: Sancuso

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Sancuso is granisetron delivered via a transdermal
patch system for the prevention of
nausea
and
vomiting resulting from
chemotherapy
for cancer. Other
formulations of granisetron (for example,
Kytril)
are administered by mouth or injection. Certain chemotherapeutic agents used for
treating cancer stimulate the release of a neurotransmitter called serotonin
from nerves in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves use to
communicate with one another. Released serotonin binds to other nerves in an
area of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone, causing nausea and
vomiting. Granisetron, the active ingredient in Sancuso, prevents serotonin from
binding to nerves in the chemoreceptor trigger zone thereby preventing nausea
and vomiting. The FDA approved Sancuso in September 2008.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Transdermal patch delivering 3.1 mg/24 h

STORAGE: Sancuso should be store in the original package at 15 C and 30 C (59
F and 86 F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Granisetron patches are used for prevention of nausea and
vomiting in patients receiving five consecutive days of chemotherapy that is
associated with nausea and vomiting.